Revised Ditchi Guidelines and Rules

October 4, 2010

Description
Ditchi is the official game of the Brothers’ House program. It is similar to softball
but has modified rules and equipment (lawn tennis ball and rubber slippers used
as bats). There are 4 bases – a home base and 3 minor bases arranged in a
diamond formation.

Event Guidelines
1. LINE-UP. The house parent must submit an official line up to the commissioner 3
days before the start of the tournament. There shall be 15 players in the line up
which should include 1 male night school student, 1 female night school student,
and 1 adult house member. The house should be able to field 9 players at the
start of the game: 5 male players and 4 female players.

Other information in the line up:

a. The official coach
b. The team captain

Anyone not in the official line-up will not be allowed to play.

2. UNIFORM. The 9 players on the field must wear t-shirts with the house color (1
selected color only), shorts, rubber shoes, and socks. The adult player may opt to
wear jogging pants.

3. DEFAULT. Drawing of lots by the house parents, conducted by the commissioner

will be done at least 3 days before the tournament. The game time is announced
before the start of the tournament by the commissioner. A team will be given a
15 minute grace period to appear on the playing area on their scheduled time
with a game-ready team (9 players) with the acceptable ratio/combination of
players, and proper uniforms. Failure of the team to be ready after 15 minutes
will result in a default. The commissioner will use a timer to start the 15 minute
 grace period and will inform the house parent and/or representative of the house
about the start of the countdown.

4. PROTESTS. The decision of the umpire is final. There shall be no protests during
the game. Protests coursed through the coach and/or house parent shall be
entertained by the commissioner within 2 hours after the game.

5. OFFICIALS. There are 5 game officials – Chief Umpire, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Base
Umpires, and a Scorer. The Commissioner is given the discretion revise the
number of officials, as needed.

6. UNPSORTMANLIKE CONDUCT. An umpire may charge a player/coach with

unsportsmanlike conduct. This will mean a 1 point deduction for the team which
the player/coach belongs to. This 1 point is then awarded to the opposing team.
Two more subsequent charges of unsportsmanlike conduct by a player/coach will
lead to his/her ejection from the game.

Any of the following committed by a player, coach, or official may be considered

unsportsmanlike conduct:

A. At any time, lay a hand upon, push, shove, strike, or threaten to

strike an official.

B. Heaping personal verbal or physical abuse upon any official for any
real or imaginary belief of a wrong decision or judgment.

C. Objectionable demonstration of dissent at an official’s decision by

throwing of gloves, helmets, hats, bats, balls, or any other forceful
unsportsmanlike action.

D. Using unnecessarily rough tactics in the play of a game against the

body of an opposing player.
 E. Use of profane, obscene, or vulgar language in any manner at any
time.

F. Discussing publicly with spectators in a derogatory or abusive

manner any play, decision or personal opinion on any players during
the game.

G. Speak disrespectfully to any head coach, assistant coach, official,

player, o representative of the tournament.

H. Tampering or manipulation of any tournament rosters, schedules,

draft positions or selections, official score records, rankings, financial
records, or procedures.

I. Challenging an umpire’s authority. The umpires shall have the

authority and discretion during the game to penalize the offender
according to the infraction up to and including removal from the
game.

J. Any other violation of the disciplinary rules contained in the student

handbook/faculty & staff manual/institutional handbook of St.
Joseph School-La Salle
(Adopted from: http://www.woodstockgirlssoftball.org/Regular%20Season/WGSL
%20Code%20of%20Conduct%202010.pdf)

Rules

1. PITCH. The pitcher shall use a modified softball pitch: 90 degrees starting
from her back without the circling of the arm. The pitcher shall be female
throughout the game.

2. STRIKE. A strike is called if the ball passes the strike zone. The strike zone is
determined by where the ball crosses the plate of the home base and it
 should pass between the shoulder and knee level of the batter. 3 strikes
constitute an out. 3 outs are a turnover.

3. BALL. If the ball does not pass through the strike zone, it is called an illegal
pitch or a “ball”. The batter has the option to hit the ball even if is called a
ball.

4. WALK. A batter who is hit by the ball during a pitch at any part of his/her
body is allowed to walk to 1st base.

5. STEAL. Stealing is not allowed.

6. FLY BALL. The batter is automatically called out when a fly ball occurs.

7. FOUL BALL. If the ball falls outside the “fair territory” and goes outside the
civic center, it is considered a “foul ball” and will be counted as a strike. The
fair territory is an area inside the foul lines, delineated from the first base
to the home base and to the third base.

8. HOMERUN. There shall be no homeruns. If the ball goes out of the civic
center, and it is not a foul ball, it is considered in play.

9. 1st TOUCH PRINCIPLE. The area where the ball lands first shall be
considered in judging whether it is a foul ball or not.

10.BATTING ORDER. The batting order submitted to the officials at the start of
the game must be followed for the duration of the game. The house may
decide to change the batting order at their next game.